Turkey: Lawmaker Submits Proposals To Amend Constitution

Lawmaker Mustafa Elitas of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) submitted a draft proposal Dec. 10 to amend the constitution to expand the power of the presidency, Anadolu Agency reported. The changes would abolish the post of prime minister and allow the president to select two vice presidents and appoint a Cabinet. If passed, it would come into effect in 2019, although in the interim the president would be empowered through supplemental legislation. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has made rewriting the constitution, which it considers too tutelary, something of its own cause throughout the nearly decade and a half that it has held power.